Winter Is Coming: How to Prepare Your Home’s Plumbing for Cold Weather
Winter arrives with challenges for your home’s plumbing system. When temperatures dip at night in Sacramento, the risk of frozen or burst pipes, water heater breakdowns, slow drains, and leaks rises.
If you’ve ever dealt with a burst pipe or a water heater that stopped working suddenly, you know how stressful it feels. So, is your home’s plumbing ready for this winter?
Here’s the good news! With a few smart winter plumbing tips and help from a trusted Sacramento plumbing company like Ace Plumbing, you can avoid unnecessary stress, costly repairs, and those cold shower surprises.
Why Preparing Your Plumbing System in Winter Is More Important in Sacramento?
Even though Sacramento has a mild climate overall, sudden temperature drops below 32°F can cause several issues.
- Frozen pipes inside the walls
- Bursting outdoor hose bibs
- Damage to irrigation lines
- Water heater failure
- Sewer lines are backing up due to cold contraction
These problems don’t just disrupt your daily routine. They can cost you thousands of dollars in damage.
10 Easy Tips to Maintain Your Plumbing in Winter
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawlspaces, attics, kitchen or bathroom sinks, and exterior walls are most prone to freezing. They lose heat quickly and are usually not insulated.
- Use foam pipe sleeves, fiberglass wrap, or even heat tape on at-risk sections.
- Pay special attention to pipes you can easily touch; if they feel cold in winter, they need insulation.
2. Disconnect and Protect All Outdoor Hoses
Leaving a garden hose connected during winter is the number one cause of outdoor faucet damage. When water stays inside the hose, it freezes, expands, and pushes pressure back into the pipe inside the wall. That pipe can crack without you noticing until a major leak appears.
- Remove all garden hoses
- Drain them completely
- Store them indoors
- Add a faucet cover to outdoor spigots
- For older homes, upgrade to frost-proof hose bibs for extra safety.
3. Protect Your Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation Lines
Even if you remove the hose, the faucet still needs protection.
- Install outdoor faucet covers
- Shut off the irrigation system and drain all lines
- Insulate backflow preventers with foam or a cover
- If your yard has older pipes, consider winterizing valves
This prevents freezing inside long irrigation lines, which is common in Sacramento suburbs.
4. Keep Your Water Heater Ready for Winter Demand
Did you know water heaters work harder during winter? Cold weather means cold water enters the tank, and the heater must use more energy to warm it. If your water heater is already aging or poorly maintained, winter exposes its weaknesses. To keep your water heater winter-ready ready you must -
- Flush your water heater to remove sediment
- Check the temperature setting. It should be around 120°F
- Insulate the tank with a water heater blanket
- Inspect the pressure relief valve
- Have a professional check for corrosion or leaks
If it’s already been a long time since you flushed your water heater, it’s the right time!
5. Seal Drafts and Insulate Walls
Cold air getting into your basement, attic, or under-sink areas can drop the temperature around your pipes much faster. Focus on sealing -
- Gaps around windows and doors
- Holes where pipes enter walls
- Cracks around the foundation
- Vents or crawl space doors
You can use caulk, spray foam, or weatherstripping. Even a small gap can drop pipe temperatures quickly.
6. Leave Cabinet Doors Open on Extra Cold Nights
This tip may sound too simple, but it works!
On very cold nights, open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. This lets warm indoor air circulate around the pipes inside. This becomes more important if your sinks are mounted on exterior walls, because those pipes are more exposed to outside cold air and freeze much faster than interior plumbing.
7. Let Faucets Drip When Temperatures Drop Below Freezing
If temperatures are going to drop to freezing, let the faucets most at risk drip a little overnight. This keeps the water inside your pipes moving, which makes it much harder for ice to form.
8. Find Your Main Shut-Off Valve
During the chilly winters, if you experience a burst pipe due to pipe freezing, every second counts. You need to shut off the water supply as quickly as possible. To do that, you must know the location of the shut-off valve
Most Sacramento homes have them -
- Near the front curb
- In the garage
- Along an exterior wall
You should practice turning it off and also show it to other family members, so that you don’t have to search for it during an emergency.
9. Schedule a Winter Plumbing Inspection
DIY steps help, but some problems stay hidden until a licensed plumber checks your system. Getting a winter plumbing inspection done by a team of trusted plumbers from Ace Plumbing can identify issues like -
- Early pipe corrosion
- Slow-forming leaks
- Sediment buildup
- Weak joints
- Vulnerable exposed pipes
- Water heater performance problems
This is not just about repairs. It’s about preventing expensive winter damage.
10. Upgrade Old Pipes Before Winter Arrives
If your home has older pipes, they are much more likely to freeze and burst. PVC or PEX pipes are more flexible and freeze-resistant.
If you notice poor water pressure, rust in water, or frequent leaks, upgrading them before winter is a smart move.
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What Should You Do If a Pipe Freezes?
If you turn on the faucet and only a trickle comes out, you might have a frozen pipe. You must follow these steps immediately.
- Turn off the main water supply
- Use a hair dryer to warm up the frozen area
- Never use a blowtorch or open flame
- Keep the faucet open as the ice melts
- If you can’t locate the frozen pipe, call a professional immediately
Frozen pipes can burst without warning, so act fast.
People Often Ask These Common Questions About Winter Plumbing
1. At what temperature do pipes usually freeze?
Most pipes begin freezing when temperatures drop to 28°F or below for several hours. Outdoor pipes freeze faster than indoor ones.
2. How do I keep pipes from freezing without running the heat all day?
You don’t need to keep the heat running nonstop to prevent frozen pipes.
- Focus on the areas around the pipes instead.
- Insulate any exposed plumbing, seal cold drafts, add covers to outdoor faucets, and leave cabinet doors open so warm indoor air can reach the pipes.
These small steps protect your system without raising your heating bill.
3. Do tankless water heaters freeze in winter?
Yes, they can. Tankless heaters installed outdoors need insulation and freeze-protection kits.
4. How can I tell if my pipe has already frozen?
You might notice very low water pressure, a faucet that only drips, or frost forming on the outside of the pipe. Sometimes you may even hear strange sounds, like cracking or bubbling, as ice inside the pipe expands. These signs usually mean the water inside has turned to ice and the pipe needs attention right away.
5. What about vacation homes or empty properties?
For vacation homes or empty properties, it’s important to winterize the plumbing.
- If the house will be vacant for a long time, shut off the main water supply and drain the entire system by opening all faucets. This removes standing water that could freeze.
- You can also add a small amount of antifreeze to drains and toilets to protect the traps. This simple prep helps prevent frozen pipes and damage while you’re away.
Takeaway
Cold-weather plumbing issues can happen suddenly, when you least expect them. The best time to prepare your home is now. This avoids frozen pipes, keeps your home safe, reduces stress, and prevents expensive emergencies when the temperatures drop.
Simple steps like insulating pipes, draining outdoor lines, protecting your water heater, and sealing drafts can save you from winter surprises. As long as you stay ahead of the cold and take action before problems show up, your plumbing system will stay strong through the season.
Prepare Your Plumbing for the Cold with Ace Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
If you’re looking for a reliable Sacramento plumbing company, Ace Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is the right choice.
For over 50 years, we’ve been helping Sacramento homeowners with dependable plumbing, heating, and cooling services. As a local Sacramento-based company, we understand the weather patterns here and know exactly how to protect your home during winter.
Our licensed plumbers inspect your system thoroughly before recommending any repairs or replacements. We’re transparent with pricing, offer same-day service, and provide emergency support until 7 pm.
Call us at 916-455-4548 for fast, trusted winter plumbing help.